There are lots of “CNC bit packages” for .25" shank bits. Does anybody know of one for .5" shanks?
Yes I know, not cheap cut it is usually a case of buy 4 get 1 free.
.25 shanked bits work as well as .5 shanked bits. If you break a .25 bit you’re doing something wrong. The cost outweigh the benefits. My opinion.
Hey Robert. I’ve seen some things in 1/2" that I can’t seem to find in 1/4". Like a big fat ‘hog’ end mill that gouges out tons of material for a quick roughing clear. Here a 1/2" solution is great. You’re right that if you break a 1/4" it’s probably user error. It’s breaking the tiny ones during fine detail work that’s annoying.
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So far after two years I have yet to break a bit ( … hits the top of my wooden head for luck)
My desire to move up to .5 inch shanks are:
- larger overall cutting dia.
- larger shanks have less deflection when cutting
I am putting together a machine somewhat like TMToronto’s… i.e. spindle with automatic tool changer
Spinning something like:
Amana Tool RC-2251 Spoilboard Insert Surfacing & Rabbeting Flycutter 2+2 Flute Design 2-1/2 D x 1/2 CH x 1/2 SHK Router Bit, Includes 2 Each of HMA-12 and HCK-70 (toolstoday.com)
But at ~$300 these baby’s ain’t cheap.
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Hey Carl and Lynn,
I envy you! Good luck!
Wow, what a UFO. If you use such a tool in a spindle regularly you should consider higher wear of the bearings and you should probably use collets with very high run-out accuracy
I think half-inch tool shanks are very useful but in the first place for long bits, not wide. You have bit deflection when you have to mill deep pockets with longer endmills. I bought my spindle with ER-20 collet and can use up to 13 mm bit shanks for this reason
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I have one of those UFO Amana 2251 surfacing bits but, naturally, the Makita choked on it pretty badly. So, that was one of the primary reasons for the spindle upgrade. The spindle will take the 1/2" shanks as well and, like Aiph said, the long bits will be happier with that for sure. I do some deep pockets and need it to be pretty smooth because it’s hard to sand in those pockets. And these cove bits I’m going to get are 1/2" shank solutions.
I was cutting some table legs out of 2" thick Beech and 1/4 endmills long enough to cut 2" deep was an issue with chatter, switched to 1/2" endmills and it worked perfect.
Pat
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